Photo by Irvin Rivera

Chantelle Brown-Young -

Photo by Irvin Rivera

Chantelle Brown-Young - @Screenshot @Instagram

Chantelle Brown-Young - @Screenshot @Instagram

Chantelle Brown-Young - @Screenshot @Instagram

Chantelle Winnie, well known as Winnie Harlow, is a canadian model born in 1994, who's conquering, season by season, the fashion world.

The former face of Diesel and Desigual of the Spring/Summer 2015 advertising campaign, Winnie has already walked down the runway of the Ashish fashion show during the London Fashion Week and also she appeared at the last New York Fashion Week back in February.

But the road to success for Chantelle has never been so easy at it seems. She was bullied in high school and she has been rejected many times by fashion agencies. But finally she was discovered by Tyra Banks and she became the muse of british photographer Nick Knight.

Now the young and gorgeous model is determined to demonstrate to all of us that the definition of beauty is just a prejudice. And what could be more beautiful than not-define beauty at all?

First of all, why did you choose a nickname? Is Winnie Harlow your alter-ego?

I chose it in high school because everyone had nicknames then. Winnie Harlow is my alter ego like how Beyonce refers so her stage name as Sasha Fierce.

We all know that Tyra Banks helped you and supported you a lot in your career: she discovered you on social media and wanted you as a contestant of her reality show America's Next Top Model last year. But how did you start modeling? Tell us how all it began.

A journalist named Shannon Boodram in Toronto saw me online and asked if she could do and interview about my experience with vitiligo as well as a photoshoot. After shooting she called me during the editing process and told me I was a natural in front of the camera and that I should keep it up, so I did!

Now you're the face of Diesel and Desigual. The muse of british photographer Nick Knight. You've walked down the runway at the last New York Fashion Week and you have appeared on the catwalk of the Ashish fashion show during London Fashion Week back in February. What was your biggest challenge to achieve all of this?

I think each thing was a challenge in itself. It's all work and your job is to make the client happy so I guess that is the biggest challenge! Each job is different so u have to keep clients happy in different ways.

It wasn't all so easy for you. Infact you've been bullied during your childhood, because of vitiligo (during highschool they called you 'cow') and you've been rejected from many model agency. How did you get over it?

By keeping it moving. The worst thing I've done while sad is sit in defeat. That's very unhealthy. The best thing to do is dust yourself off and try again.

Now that you're famous and an inspiration for all of us, do you think that nowadays the fashion business is more open minded about all kind of diversity or there's still a long way to go?

I think everything takes time and understanding but all things happen in due time.

Most of your popularity came thanks of social media. You're one of the most popular model on Instagram. Do you think social-media and the web community have influenced your career? And, If yes, in which way?

Of course! It allows my fans a gateway into my life, what is new and what I'm up to. People love that information and even better now it's right at your fingertips to indulge in. The more people see the more they want to see. It's a sense of relevance and being relatable.

From your personal experience, what suggestions can you give to young girls and boys who are affected by vitiligo, but want to break through into the fashion world?

I think my story isn't just relate able to kids with vitiligo, but instead the world. Vitiligo is just another difference, like freckles, big hair, tiny ears... Everyone has differences. My advice is to embrace and love yourself no matter who you are

Do you have something in store for the future? We will see you during fashion week in September?

Most likely yes unless I'm filming a new campaign. I actually just shot my newest campaign with Sprite so I'm super excited about that.

Lastly, at this point of your career as a model do you still have a dream to achieve?

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